A review by smarmo21
Babel by R.F. Kuang

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

I’ve never read a book quite like this. On the surface I docked some points because of the pacing, which I found to be drawn out at times. But the story itself is a fascinating and gripping narrative about colonialism and systems of oppression, and what privilege does and doesn’t mean, all while playing with a truly unique, linguistics-based magic system.
I found the conclusion of the book absolutely heartbreaking, if appropriate for the nature of the story. I wonder if we’ll get a Victoria spinoff one day.
I connected with Kuang’s writing style however at times I felt the weight of repetitive dialogue and conversations. Toward the last 100 pages I felt I’d read the same things a few times. All things considered, though, a really good read that’ll definitely sit with me long after I put this book down. 
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